Microsoft releases package updates for Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2

Microsoft has released a new update rollup for Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 R2. The so-called ‘rollup’ installs all updates for both operating systems up to and including April 2016. After installation, users only need to install updates after April.

The ‘convenience rollup’ is officially not a ‘Service Pack’ and, in addition to all security updates, also contains all other necessary updates for the relevant system. In addition, Microsoft offers help with adding the rollup to a Windows 7 SP1 image, making the rollup somewhat similar to a service pack.

The difference with a service pack is that the rollup is not offered via Windows Update. The update package must be downloaded separately. Once on the correct download page, the browser will check which update is needed, either Windows 7 32- or 64bit or Windows Server 2008 R2 64bit.

By offering the rollup, Microsoft also kicks off another way to deliver non-security updates for Windows 7, 8.1, Server 2008 R2 SP1, Server 2012, and Server 2012 R2. From now on, this type of updates will only be offered as a monthly package via Windows Update.

Microsoft is also making a change to how updates can be downloaded. Updates are still offered through Microsoft Download Center and Microsoft Update Catalog, with Security Bulletins providing a direct link to updates in the Download Center. Microsoft wants to facilitate this process and will stop offering updates via the Download Center in the coming months. The links in the Security Bulletins will point directly to packages in the Update Catalog.

The Microsoft Update Catalog can currently only be used with Internet Explorer because it requires ActiveX. Microsoft says “sometime this summer” the plan is to remove the need for ActiveX and make other browsers usable.